THOSE who knew Harare’s Pomona Dump Site before Geo Pomona Waste Management Pvt Ltd took over know the meaning of what the eye has not seen or ear heard.
The transformation that lies bare for the doubting Thomases to see has shown itself beyond any reasonable doubt that, indeed, Vision 2030 can be achieved earlier than scheduled.
Who better than the men and women who have had it tough in life to understand the essence of humility, hard work, and servant leadership than Gokwe-born Mr Dilesh Nguwaya, the CEO and Executive Chairman of Geo Pomona Waste Management Pvt Ltd.
Nothing can indeed bring a good man down or better still the light shines in brightness and brightness comprehended it not.
Social media was awash with reports rubbishing the man who today is changing the face of poorly run dumping sites into world-class certified sporting facilities.
Many years ago, fires would break out at the Pomona dump site, with the Harare City Council failing to extinguish it. Lives were lost with constant smells emanating from the place and flies wreaking havoc while the hospitals had cases related to the effects of air pollution.
Heeding to the call of duty and the cries of the men, women, and children from this community, Mr Nguwaya has brought tears of joy and relief to Pomona residents.
It is only men and women living within the vicinity of Pomona who can truly appreciate the work done by this well-wisher.
Speaking to the man himself, you can tell that he carries a light within him waiting to explode. Given the opportunity, this man will bring beauty beyond comprehension.
In a recent encounter with this man, one could easily pass him off as a proud man because of his very calm and collected nature. He sits quietly in his chair and almost intimidatingly gazes at you as if reading through you. If you are not careful, this catches you off guard but knowing very well why we were there, it was important to collect that revolutionary narrative which I would like to call the winds of change.
I have met very proud men who I have concluded not only lack a good upbringing but excuse my saying, “just made a few dollars.” Why I say so is because they behave as though they just “met money”.
Sitting across the table from this particular man, there is a calmness to it. You don’t find your hair growing at all. Only those who have gone through this can understand the unearthing nature that some people carry.
This CEO and Executive Chairman belongs to a current crop of men and women who have been chosen to build Zimbabwe brick upon brick, stone upon stone. He calls it the “Zimbabwe built by its own” revolution.
I believe this is the same national spirit that resulted in the young men and women trekking to Mozambique, Botswana and many other countries as Zimbabwe sought its freedom from colonial rule.
He belongs to the crop of men and women who are breaking their backs to fight the economic war that Zimbabwe experiences today, more so in a field that is not only for the elite but many are still to understand.
Environmentally friendly merged with the sporting and at international standard for that matter.
“As Geo Pomona Waste Management Pvt Ltd, we are uplifting the livelihoods of young people by employing them. The company is youth-populated totalling more than 130 people. This means that we were liberated as youth to work for ourselves bringing technology from Europe to Zimbabwe to build this nation on our own. Which is why we say Zimbabwe built by its people,” Mr Nguwaya said.
“We are grateful to the heroes and heroines of this country who liberated this country so that we have such opportunities to set up companies such as Geo Pomona Waste Management Pvt Ltd which we use to ensure a clean and smart city.
“If you look at what Pomona was for the past 30 years, it was a toxic place. It was not liveable. You would not drink water. However, when we took over having been given authority by the liberators of this country, we managed to transform it into a world-class waste management site.
“These opportunities have been provided for by His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other heroes and heroines who brought Zimbabwe’s independence.”
Going forward, Mr Nguwaya, said expansion to other cities focusing on raw waste management was on the cards.
Speaking about the sporting facilities at Pomona, Mr Nguwaya said the football pitch would be certified by FIFA enabling local teams to be ready for international games.
Drug and substance abuse victims would also have a chance to play in the sporting facilities as part of their rehabilitation exercise.
The site is void of the stench it had before because the company daily pushes and compacts the waste.
They also encapsulate using geomembrane and geotextile layers to cover the existing waste. Landscaping has been done with lawns, trees, and flowers giving a beautiful scenery.
A Waste to Energy Plant that is in the pipeline will be constructed this year while it is expected that electricity generation will begin in 2027.
A sorting plant to separate recyclable and non-recyclable material is currently under construction.- ZANU-PF ONLINE
